Jane Russell
Jane McDannald Russell passed away January 25, 2017.
She was born November 6, 1939 in Houston, Texas to Cleaves and Lillie Mae McDannald.
She is survived by daughters, Kim Russell Bedell and husband Clayton, June Russell Flores and husband Bob, Joan Russell Wimberly and husband Doug, son Mac Russell and wife Tina, longtime son-in-law Troy McKinney, grandchildren Brooke, Clayton and wife Sarah and Hannah McKinney; Joe Michael, Claudia and Zach Zapata; Reed, Jack and Lilly Wimberly; Fisher, Eli and Sullivan Russell and great-grandchildren Brayden and Emma Jane McKinney; several cousins, nieces and nephews; three of her fur babies Sterling, Scarlet and Rhett that were always at her side; and her best racing mare Sheza Black Dasher, winner of the Kool Kue Baby Handicap in 2007.
She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings.
Jane was raised in League City, Texas but spent much of her time on her grandfather’s ranches in Texas, Colorado, New Mexico and Mexico. She attended Clear Creek High School and Gulf Park College where she graduated in 1957.
She married Joe Russell on August 23, 1958 whom she met while attending the University of Oklahoma.
She worked for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as manager of Indian Lodge at Davis Mountains State Park near Fort Davis from 1978-1988, then took a seasonal position at Yellowstone National Park with her brother, Jerry McDannald and wife Harlene.
She returned to Texas to live with Kim and Troy and their children for her remaining 28 years.
Jane, her brother Jerry and daughter Kim later formed McRacing, where they purchased their first racing mare, Sheza Black Dasher. Jane thoroughly enjoyed the excitement of visiting the winner’s circle almost every time Sheza entered a race.
Services will be a private family ceremony in Fort Davis. The family requests donations to their favorite charity in lieu of flowers.